Loyola and Jesuit partnership to address poverty, racism and migration

(New Orleans)—Loyola University New Orleans
and the Jesuits have joined forces to create a new initiative aimed at
improving social and economic conditions in the southern United States
and select Gulf/Caribbean area countries. On Wednesday, November 28, The Rev.
Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., Ph.D., president of Loyola University New Orleans, and
the Rev. Fred Kammer, S.J., provincial of the New Orleans Province, Society of
Jesus, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, formally establishing the Jesuit
Social Research Institute (JSRI) as a joint undertaking of Loyola University
New Orleans and the Jesuit Province.

The JSRI,
headquartered on Loyola University’s campus in New
Orleans, will operate within a network of Jesuit social centers in
the U.S.,
partnering countries, and other universities. With the creation of the JSRI,
Loyola and the New Orleans Province hope to be able to aid those in need
through research, education, and advocacy based in Jesuit theological and
intellectual traditions and Catholic social teaching.

“While a vision
for the Jesuit Social Research Institute preceded the hurricanes and flooding
which devastated the Gulf Coast region, the need for the institute has become
increasingly apparent over the past two years,” said the Rev. Ted Dziak, S.J.,
director of Mission and Ministry at Loyola University,
and board member of the JSRI.

The signing of the
memorandum signals the symbolic launch of the institute. After several months
of consultation, a focused agenda of pilot projects will be established early
in 2008.

In the future, the
institute will invite faculty and student collaboration in research, social
analysis, and theological reflection. There will be a particular focus on
academic research, education, and social action dealing with issues of
migration, racism, and poverty.

The JRSI, housed
in Mercy Hall on Loyola University’s main campus, is a department in Loyola’s
College of Social Sciences. The initial fellows of
the institute are the Rev. Edward B. Arroyo, S.J., the Rev. Thomas Greene,
S.J., the Rev. Michael Bouzigard, S.J., Shera Maiden, and Mary Baudouin. For
more information, please contact the Rev. Ted Arroyo, S.J., at (504) 864-7746,
earroyo@loyno.edu, or visit www.loyno.edu\jsri